Investigating skills in modern life

3. Research skills
When investigating, it's often helpful to know how to collect relevant information and interpret it. Investigators often analyze background information about particular subject matters to comprehend a situation fully. For instance, a legal investigator may research the background of perpetrators to learn about their criminal history and other important facts.
Related: Research Skills: Definition and Examples
4. Evidence collection
Evidence collection is the ability to find relevant facts, such as clues that help investigators understand why something may have occurred, that support or verify a certain belief. Often, investigators collect evidence by conducting experiments or visiting and analyzing a crime scene. When collecting evidence, it's often important for investigators to adhere to common legal procedures.
5. Interviewing
Having the ability to interview subjects helps investigators gather essential information. This may include interrogation, where a professional questions a perpetrator or victim to understand what happened during a particular criminal event. Those with effective interviewing skills understand what types of questions to ask that elicit helpful answers and techniques to foster cooperation.
6. Report writing
This type of writing allows those conducting an investigation to properly submit documentation on their findings. It's typically important for these professionals to ensure clarity so readers understand their reports. They also include supporting evidence to verify findings and may present these findings to a court that uses these written pieces to convict or acquit an individual.
7. Critical thinking
These skills help investigators analyze cases objectively and avoid assumptions that can hinder their ability to derive factual conclusions. These abilities allow professionals to evaluate circumstances and, when making important decisions regarding an investigation, can help them either confirm previous inferences or correctly alter their opinions on a case